Document Title Student Support Scheme Document Type Policy Code Procedure x Strategy Approved by SLT x F&GP R&S x Corporation Date of final approval January 2015 Owner Vice Principal: Students and Quality College Values Students: as the focus for the work of everyone at the College Mutual Respect: caring for and valuing students, staff, governors and our community Integrity: honesty, hard work and personal and social responsibility Learning: a passion for learning and its capacity to change lives Excellence: high aspirations, high standards and high achievement A Statement In 2014-15 a limited amount of financial support is available to students through the funds managed by the College. These 16-19 Bursary Funds are paid by the Education Funding Agency (EFA) to Colleges so that they may provide financial help to students whose access to or completion of education might be inhibited by financial consideration. This support, the College refers to the as the Student Support Scheme. B Student Support Scheme Student Support Scheme weekly payments are available for those students who are new to the College and who have an annual joint family income of less than 16,190. For this academic year only, students who are in their second or third year at the College must have a joint family income of less than 30,000 to qualify. Students must achieve 100% attendance for a weekly payment to be authorised and satisfactory behaviour and level of effort during lessons will also be taken into account. The College does not permit students to routinely self-authorise absences on medical grounds but will, however, authorise any absences which are approved by the College e.g.: medical certificate, or where there is reasonable evidence to justify the student s absence on personal grounds. C Free College Meals Students who have a joint family income of less than 16,190 will also qualify for free college meals. 2.41 per day will topped up onto the student e-purse daily, to spend on food within the College catering facility. D Aims The aims of this procedure are: To ensure that the Student Support Scheme procedures are administered in accordance with EFA guidelines and polices To explain the roles and responsibilities of staff and students To explain the procedure for making applications To explain the appeals procedure To describe the eligibility criteria and payment processes. E Criteria and Eligibility Details of the criteria to be used and the eligibility for payments are shown at Appendix 2.
F (a) (b) Responsibilities Students It is the responsibility of each student to: Provide accurate information and appropriate documentary evidence where needed when completing the application form (Appendix 3). Understand that in order to be in receipt of an award they must comply with the Student Code of Conduct. Inform the college of changes in their financial circumstances. Responsible for ensuring that their attendance is updated and accurate. College It is the responsibility of the College to: Ensure that the fund is publicised in an appropriate manner including the College website Assist the student to make an appropriate application Ensure the form is completed appropriately and that documentary evidence is provided or confirmed where required. Log application and pass completed applications to the Student Support Scheme Administrator Ensure that reasons for decision are accurately recorded and communicated to the relevant parties Ensure timely payment of funds Produce reports on administration of fund for audit requirements Ensure funds are paid to students in accordance with the decisions of the panel. G PROCEDURE The procedure is illustrated in the Process Flow Chart (Appendix 1) H APPEALS PROCEDURE Students will have right of appeal to an Appeals Panel normally chaired by the Vice Principal: Students and Quality, who will determine the composition of the Appeals Panel. This will not normally exceed three people and will comprise of a member of the College leadership Team. In exceptional circumstances, e.g. when the Vice Principal: Students and Quality has been significantly involved at an earlier stage, an alternative Vice Principal will convene the Appeals Panel. The grounds of appeal are that that there was a serious breach of the College s procedures that may have adversely affected the outcome. The College reserves the right to determine whether or not an appeal falls within its appeals framework and should be allowed to proceed. In all eventualities notice of appeal must be lodged with the College within ten working days of the date of the notification of the outcome. In all eventualities the notice of appeal must give grounds and brief particulars of the appeal. The final decision will be confirmed in writing to the student within five working days of the Appeal Panel meeting. I TIMING AND AMOUNT OF PAYMENTS See Appendix 4 APPENDICES 1 Process Flow Chart 2 Criteria and Eligibility for Payment 3 Student Support Scheme Application Form & Guidance 4 Timing and Amount of Payments Administrator will produce response and pass copy to Finance Officer for payment (if appropriate) and send original to student.
Student Support Scheme Process Flowchart Appendix 1 Student Student obtains an application form from the Information Centre or www.lutonsfc.ac.uk Support Staff Support staff advise student on making appropriate application. Necessary documentary evidence of student s financial circumstances checked and recorded. All completed original forms sent back to the Student Support Administrator Student Support Administrator Consider each claim and make a decision in accordance with fund guidelines. Application Successful Student Support Administrator inputs student claim details on to database, scans the documentary evidence and produces a Notice of Entitlement. Application Unsuccessful Student is informed If student wishes to appeal, they must send a letter to the College giving reasons Student Support Administrator posts Notice of Entitlement to student and produces a payment list for Finance department on a weekly basis, depending on student attendance. On receipt of the payment list, the Finance Officer will arrange for payment by BACS or cash as appropriate. Appeals Process Appeals Panel meets If appeal unsuccessful, the student will be notified accordingly. If appeal successful, the Student Support Administrator will produce the Notice of Entitlement and post it to the student. The Student receives Notice of Entitlement and information regarding payment to sign and return so that payment may begin
Appendix 2 STUDENT SUPPORT SCHEME ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA The Student Support Scheme is available for students aged 16-19 attending Luton Sixth Form College, regardless of whether they live in Luton or not. There are two main categories of support available: Category 1 Bursaries of 1,200 to all students in the nominated vulnerable groups. This group covers students who are looked after, care leavers, those in receipt of income support and disabled young people in receipt of both Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance. The College will seek appropriate evidence from the student, for example: A letter setting out the benefit to which the young person is entitled Written confirmation of the young person s current or previous lookedafter status from the local authority which looks after them or provides their leaving care services. Category 2 (this is free school eligibility criteria from Luton Borough Council) Students whose parent/carer is in receipt of a qualifying benefit. In order to qualify to receive funds from the Student Support Scheme, the parent/carer must receive at least one of the following benefits:- Income based Employment and Support Allowance Income Support Income-based Job Seekers Allowance Pension Credit NASS Supported under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 Child Tax Credit providing that the parent/carer does not receive Working Tax Credit and income must be less than 16,190 shown on the TC602(a) Tax Credit letter All applicants MUST submit their up-to-date form TC602(D) which gives details of all benefits received IMPORTANT: Candidates who receive Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, are NOT entitled to receive funds from the Student Support Scheme, even if they are on a low income.
Appendix 3 Student Support Scheme Academic year 2014/2015 Application Form and Guidance New Students Please read the guidance overleaf before completing this form For College use only. Date received: A Personal Details Surname Forenames Student ID number C Date of birth D D / M M / Y Y B Eligibility Tick all boxes which apply to you or your parents Free meals Bursary D= Discretionary G = Guaranteed G In care, or Care Leaver G Disabled young person in receipt of both Employment Support Allowance and Personal Independence Payment G Independent student living in local authority-supported accommodation G In receipt of Universal Credit D In receipt of Income Support D In receipt of income-based Jobseekers Allowance D In receipt of income-related Employment and support allowance (ESA) D In receipt of support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 D In receipt of The guarantee element of State Pension Credit D In receipt of Working Tax Credit run-on In receipt of Child Tax Credit, and D NOT in receipt of Working Tax Credit, and Earned income less than 16190 D In receipt of Child Tax Credit and In receipt of Working Tax Credit, and Earned income less than 16190 Tick C Student Bank Details Account name Sort Code Name of Bank or Building Society Account number D Applicant s Declaration to be signed by the student I certify to the best of my knowledge that the information given, together with any documentary evidence provided, is accurate and complete. I understand that bursary payments are conditional on attendance and behaviour, and that the College reserves the right to stop these payments if I contravene College rules. I understand that it will be considered a criminal offence if I knowingly provide false or incomplete information. Signed Date The information you give us on your form will be seen only by those members of LSFC staff who need it to process your application, and will be used solely for that purpose. Your information will not normally be shared with any third party.